Visiting temples and shrines

This page in brief describes the foremost necessary steps and manners with relevance visiting Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines in Japan.

How to visit a temple

Behave sedately and with all respect. Show your respect by creating a brief prayer before of the sacred object. Do therefore by throwing a coin into the providing box, followed by a brief prayer.

At some temples, guests burn incense (osenko) in giant incense burners. Purchase a bundle, light them, allow them to burn for a couple of seconds then extinguish the flame by waving your hand instead of by processing it out. Finally, place the incense into the incense burner and fan some smoke towards yourself because the smoke is believed to possess healing power. for instance, fan some smoke towards your shoulder if you've got Associate in Nursing abraded shoulder.

When getting into temple buildings, you'll be needed to require off your shoes. Leave your shoes on the shelves at the doorway or take them with you in plastic baggage provided at some temples. Wear nice socks.

Photography is sometimes permissible on the temple grounds. it's impermissible inside at some temples. sit up for signs.

How to visit a shrine

Behave sedately and with all respect. historically, you're not imagined to visit a shrine if you're sick, have Associate in Nursing open wound or square measure mourning as a result of these square measure thought of causes of impurity.

At the purification fountain close to the shrine's entrance, take one in all the ladles provided, fill it with water and rinse each hands.

Then transfer some water into your cupped hand, rinse your mouth and spit the water beside the fountain. you're not imagined to transfer the water directly from the ladle into your mouth or swallow the water. you'll notice that quite few guests skip the mouth rinse half or the purification ritual altogether.

At the providing hall, throw a coin into the providing box, bow deeply doubly, clap your hands doubly, bow deeply another time and pray for a couple of seconds. If there's some variety of gong, use it before praying so as to urge the kami's attention.

Photography is sometimes permissible at shrines. sit up for signs.